Pocket clip for ammunition

ABSTRACT

An ammunition clip for carrying small arms cartridges, comprising parallel opposed squared C-section channels for slidably receiving the bases of cartridges, a strut parallelspacing the channels, and a member for preventing the cartridges from sliding free of the channels; embodiments include a flatunfolding one-piece clip, and one-way charging and discharging provisions.

United States Patent Foster June 13, 1972 [54] POCKET CLIP FORAMMUNITION FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: James BernardTurner Foster, 67 West 23,580 1892 Great Britain ..206/3 37th Street,Bayonne, NJ. 11705 Primary ExaminerLeonard Summer 22 F l d. u] 17 1970 l1 l c J y Attorney-John F. McClellan, Sr. 21 Appl. No.: 55,674

[5 7] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..206/3, 42/88, 224/15 An ammunition li f rcarrying all arms cartridges, com- [51] Int. Cl ..F42b 39/00 prisingparallel opposed Squared C Section channels f [58] Field Of Search..206/3; 224/15; 42/88 slidably receiving the bases f cartridges 3 strutparalle| spac ing the channels, and a member for preventing thecartridges [56] References Cited from sliding free of the channels;embodiments include a flat- UNITED STATES PATENTS nnfoldingone-piececlip, and one-way charging and dischargmg PIOVISIOI'IS. 2,122,003 6/1938Cooper ..224/15 1,739,780 12/1929 Buhrke ..206/3 UX 1 Claim, 7 DrawingFigures PATENTEUJUN 13 m2 3.569.249

FIG. 5

JAMES B. T. FOSTER zd aimxfl. I

ATTORNEY POCKET CLIP FOR AMMUNITION This invention relates generally tostorage devices and specifically to clips for holding several rounds ofsmall arms ammunition together for pocket carriage and the like.

Clips for grouping cartridges have been used for many years,particularly by people who frequently reload magazinetype firearms, orwho carry a ready supply of cartridges inconspicuously, as in ordinarypockets of wearing a pparel. In certain instances, as with revolvers,the chambers must be loaded individually; but convenient access torounds compactly stored is no less desirable.

In the past, various clips for pocket carriage have been proposed, butin each case some important aspect of safety, convenience or economy hasbeen neglected. Cloth, metal, wood and plastic pocket-containers ofvarious shapes have been tried, but none has found a permanent place inthe market as the standard article universally adapted by arms users.

Principal objects of the present invention therefore are to provide apocket-clip for ammunition-rounds which is at the same time safe, easyto load and unload, compact but capacious, light-weight but protectiveof the rounds carried, durable but rattle-resistant, and in allembodiments economical to manufacture and to buy.

I embody my invention typically in a clip having parallel opposedcartridge-gripping channels spaced apart one cartridge length byintermediate structure affording access to the midbodies of cartridgesstored between the flanges, and in structure to retain the cartridges inthe clip, to indicate the direction of removal from the clip and tofacilitate loading the clip.

These and other advantages and objects of my invention will becomeapparent on examination of the following description, including thedrawings in which:

FIG. la and b are respectively a side elevation and a plan section ofone embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the same embodiment showing an alternatemethod of construction.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of further embodiments of myinvention.

The details of my invention shown in the drawings are as follows:

FIGS. la, b and 0 indicate at the generally Ll shaped structure of oneembodiment of my invention, consisting of opposed channels 16 and 18separated by struts 20 and 22 fixed between the channels at one end. Asbest shown in FIG. 1c, each channel has the shape of a squared C" insection, with the lateral flanges 24 supporting inwardly returnedterminal flanges 26.

The function of the returned flanges is to grip the base groove, or therim, as the case may be, of cartridges C inserted into the clip,retaining the cartridges in the channels. Two channels are supplied toprovide for successive alternative nesting or nose-to-toes loading ofrounds into the clip to save space.

The center sections of the channels are solid, to protect the bases ofthe rounds, preventing accidental detonation in carriage or when theclips are dropped.

As best shown in FIG. lb, provision is made for easy loading of roundsinto the clip, and for easy, positive ejection of individual or allrounds from the clip using only one hand if desired. FIG. lb is a plansection taken through the length of lateral flanges 24 of channel 16,FIG. la, although both channels are preferably identical and the Figurein that case represents either channel. Resilient material is necessaryto afford the easy charging and discharging feature of the clip. In theFIG. 1 embodiment the channel is preferably made of resilientcorrosion-resistant material such as half-hard brass.

At one end of the channel tabs 28 are lanced-out of the lateral flanges24 and bent inwardly along the length of the flanges at an angle of, forexample, 45, sloped away from the near end of the channel. It is easilyseen that the base of a round can be snapped into the clip through thefunneled opening between the constrictive tabs as indicated by thearrow, and that the round cannot readily be removed through that end ofthe clip.

Once in the clip, the rounds must be taken from the proper end, the endadjacent the struts. Clips 30, which are formed from the wall as werethe previously described clips, are angled inwardly, sloping toward thenear end of the channel, and positively retain the rounds in the clipwhile gently freeing them on application of ejective pressure to therounds, as indicated by the second arrow. All rounds in the clip can beejected with one push, if desired. Ejection of the last round isfacilitated by the relation between the strut width, or extension of thestruts 20, 22, along the length of the channels, and the inwardly benttabs 30. The struts are sufficiently narrower than the round-diameter,or major diameter of the cartridge, to make possible ejection of theround from between the clips without pressing the trailing contour ofthe round past the interior edges of the struts, i.e., finger accessbetween the struts is not required. Retention spacing along the channelbetween the two sets of clips is preferably chosen to be slightly lessthan a multiple of the diameter of the size round to be retained, so

0 preferably similar to those as described in reference to the FIG. 1embodiment. The flanges 227 may be crimped in the strut 220 as shown, ormay be extruded as ribs along the strut if the clip is made byextrusion.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show further embodiments of my invention which aresimilar in shape except for the closure method. In these embodiments thechannels have the same cartridgegripping flange structure as in theprevious embodiments, but the strut (323, 423, 523 in the respectiveembodiments) joining the channels at one end closes that end. Rounds areboth loaded and ejected between the free ends of the channels.

In FIG. 3, a closure-strap 332 is supplied as an integral part of theclip, either by being extruded or molded as part of it, or by beingattached to it. The strap depends from the free end of one channel, 316,in a hinged manner. The strap may be flexible and form the hinge asshown (particularly if integrally molded of plastic with the clip) or itmay have a mechanical pivotal connection to the channel. The free end ofthe strap has an attaching shape, such as the necked down protrusion 334shown, which detachably connects with a complementary shape 336 integralwith the other arm to form a closed rectangular clip. Spacing betweenthe strap and the strut, and straplength, should be such as to inhibitrattling. If the clip is a onepiece molding or extrusion of flexibleplastic such as polyethylene, or is otherwise articulated, the clipcorner seams 348, 350, need not be joined seams, in which case the clipcan be unfolded to a flat strip configuration for shipping, storage andthe like.

The FIG. 4 embodiment is similar to the FIG. 3 embodiment except thatthe free ends of the channels have end-structure 438, 440 adapted toretain an elastic band 442 which acts as a cartridge retaining closureon the clip. Hooks are shown,'but other structure may be equivalentlysubstituted. An endless spiral-spring or a rubber band or bands may beused for the purpose, depending on the service and tension required.Spacing between the strut and the band should be such as to inhibitrattling.

FIG. 5, a section of a channel, shows at 544, 546, two-way detentshaving equal slopes in each direction which retain the round positivelyand yet release them readily on application of force in the properdirection.

In all the embodiments it can be seen that the cartridges held areprotected, for example, the noses of rounds typically are less indiameter than the spacing between the returned flanges, and will not bescored by the flanges.

Instead of paired opposed tabs, one tab or detent can be used at eachend of the channels in the embodiments using tabs or detents.

Material of the clip can be brass as noted, or other appropriatematerial such as high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, and the like,and fabrication can be by welding, molding, extruding, or bycombinations of methods, since the basic design of this invention isdeliberately made as simple as function permits, to facilitatelarge-scale low-cost production.

It can be seen that the various features for regulating charging anddischarging of the device, and the flat-unfolding feature, can beadapted to several of the embodiments.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. An ammunition clip for carrying small arms cartridges, comprising:coextensive uniform-section channels in parallelopposed relation, eachof said channels being a squared "C" in section with co-planar lateralflanges spaced for slidably gripping the rims of bases of cartridges,first and second struts connecting the respective sides of the channelsat one end of the channels, said struts spaced for allowing cartridgesto pass freely therebetween, and retaining tabs inwardly protrusive fromthe sidewalls of the channels at the ends of the channels for therebyengaging the rims of bases of cartridges, all said retaining tabs beingangled toward the ends of the channels connected by the struts forthereby permitting cartridge ejection only between the struts, the widthof each strut being uniform and less than the major diameter ofcartridges insertable in the clip, thereby permitting ejectiveapplication of pressure on the retained ends of the cartridges betweenand proximate the channels.

1. An ammunition clip for carrying small arms cartridges, comprising:coextensive uniform-section channels in parallelopposed relation, eachof said channels being a squared ''''C'''' in section with co-planarlateral flanges spaced for slidably gripping the rims of bases ofcartridges, first and second struts connecting the respective sides ofthe channels at one end of the channels, said struts spaced for allowingcartridges to pass freely therebetween, and retaining tabs inwardlyprotrusive from the sidewalls of the channels at the ends of thechannels for thereby engaging the rims of bases of cartridges, all saidretaining tabs being angled toward the ends of the channels connected bythe struts for thereby permitting cartridge ejection only between thestruts, the width of each strut being uniform and less than the majordiameter of cartridges insertable in the clip, thereby permittingejective application of pressure on the retained ends of the cartridgesbetween and proximate the channels.